Friday, December 24, 2010

Story of a Non-Baker

I've been challenging myself to push out of my comfort zone - in all aspects of my life. Earlier in the week, I cold called a few customers, as call centers staff would say. Something I would normally never do; however, I was pleasantly surprised that each person I spoke to was excited to hear from me. They were aware of my service and have been meaning to call "me".

On the cooking front: I have been attempting to bake more often. The measuring, the scalding, the melting, the tempering, the beating, the folding, and most importantly the icing - all this only to put it into a 1960s oven that sometimes over heats or never heats at all. With all those reasons not to bake, I chose to tackle a German chocolate cake. I purchased all the ingredients earlier in the week to make life easier, and not fight the holiday rush. I pulled out my recipe and proceeded to prepare the icing. Ok, separate some eggs, heat a couple of things add butter and sugar...easy enough. Cook till lightly golden - yay! Icing done...confidence in check. Next up the cake, standard ingredient - done (with flour all over of course). Then I see BEAT the egg whites!! Seriously? In the time I've spent on this cake I could have cooked 3 different entrées. Oh well, can't quit now; egg whites done and folded. Great, we must be done now, right? Nope! Two more directions on the card: COVER bottoms of 3 (9-inch) round pans with waxed paper. ARE you kidding me? Is this baking or craft time in kindergarten? Ok, I've done my part -- let's just hope the oven does his.

Obviously I don't enjoy baking. I appreciate all of those who enjoy the art of baking. It is certainly labor intensive for ONE item. I admire those who spend the holiday season baking for their loved ones. As I was preparing the icing, I felt transported back to my grandmother's kitchen. She was one of those who made 7 types of cookies, pies, cakes and fudge and still had enough energy to cook dinner for her family. I felt surrounded by the love of both grandmothers (Evelyn and Peggy). One who inspires me every time I use her Kitchen Aid and the other for teaching a grandchild how to love a made from scratch cake. For all those grandmothers I say....THANK YOU.

Bake 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans. Cool cakes in pans 15 min.; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

Spread Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting between cake layers and onto top of cake.

The original recipe does not call for icing the entire cake, but some how I did not read that step at all. Oh well, I was done, and I was very happy to have baked such a great dessert to share with friends and loved ones. It was a labor of frustration at times, but still one of love, and if the frosting is any indication this cake is going to ROCK.

Update:

The cake was an amazing success! One bite into a cake that melts in your mouth, and you forget for one moment of bliss all of the heartache that gets you there...until next Christmas.